David Rollinson

Present Position

Individual Merit Research Scientist and Head of the Biomedical Parasitology Group in the Department of Zoology at the Natural History Museum. My main area of research concerns the characterization and biology of trematode parasites and their molluscan hosts. My goal is to work towards a better synthesis and understanding of host parasite interactions especially of the schistosome snail model. The driving force of evolution is particularly striking when considering the interplay between host and parasite genomes and my research seeks to explore the intricacies of these interactions in detail. I employ a multidisciplinary approach and current projects range from investigating mechanisms of resistance in snails to the implementation of helminth control strategies in Zanzibar. I am responsible for the Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories and Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for the identification and characterization of schistosomes and their snail intermediate hosts.

Main Research Projects

CONTRAST - A multidisciplinary alliance to optimize schistosomiasis control and transmission surveillance in sub-Saharan Africa. European Union funded Specific Targeted Research Project.

Improving children’s health by control of schistosomiasis: a partnership between the Natural History Museum and Helminth Control Laboratory Unguja. The Health Foundation.

Biomphalaria glabrata: gene discovery, expression profiling and interval mapping to elucidate mechanisms of resistance to Schistosoma mansoni. Wellcome Trust Research Grant.

Honours

Editorial Board Appointments

Publication Summary

• Edited peer reviewed professional books: 5
• Peer reviewed publications: 185

Selected Publications

1. Fenwick, A., Rollinson, D., Southgate V.R. (2006). Implementation of human schistosomiasis control: challenges and prospects. Advances in Parasitology 61, 567-622.
2. D. Rollinson, E.V. Klinger, A.F. Mgeni, S. Khamis and J.R. Stothard. (2005) Urinary schistosomiasis on Zanzibar: application of two novel assays for the detection of excreted albumin and haemoglobin in urine. Journal of Helminthology, 79, 199-206.
3. A.E. Lockyer, Jones CS, Noble LR & Rollinson D (2004) Trematodes and snails, an intimate association. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 82, 251-269.
4. Norton, J., Lewis, J.W. & Rollinson. D. (2004). Temporal and spatial patterns of nestedness in eel macroparasite communities. Parasitology, 129, 203-211.
5. Stothard, J.R. Mgeni, A.F., Khamis, S., Kristensen, T.K., Hubbard, S.J., Seto, E., Ramsan, M., Rollinson, D. (2002). New insights into the transmission biology of urinary schistosomiasis in Zanzibar. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 96, 470-475.
6. Rollinson, D., Stothard, J. R., & Southgate, V. R. (2001). Interactions between intermediate snail hosts of the genus Bulinus and schistosomes of the Schistosoma haematobium group. Parasitology,  123, S245-S260.
7. Stothard, J., Bremond, P., Andriamaro, L., Sellin, B., Sellin, E., & Rollinson, D. (2001). Bulinus species on Madagascar: molecular evolution, genetic markers and compatibility with Schistosoma haematobium. Parasitology, 123, S261-275.
8. Campbell, G., Jones, C. S., Lockyer, A. E., Hughes, S., Brown, D. S., Noble, L. R., & Rollinson, D. (2000). Molecular evidence supports an African affinity of the Neotropical freshwater gastropod, Biomphalaria glabrata, Say 1818, an intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni. Proceedings of the Royal Society London, 267, 2351-2358.